Baglioni Chapel, Renaissance chapel in Spello, Italy
The Baglioni Chapel is a space within Santa Maria Maggiore church featuring three large painted walls showing scenes from Jesus's life: the Annunciation, the Adoration of the Shepherds, and Jesus among the Teachers. Every surface, including the ceiling, is covered with frescoes created by a Renaissance-era painter.
A wealthy man named Troilo Baglioni, who held an important position in the church, commissioned a renowned painter to decorate the space. The work was completed in October 1501.
The ceiling displays four female figures from ancient texts, each carrying prophecies that point to the arrival of Jesus. These representations shape how the space looks and feels today.
The painter included his self-portrait in the lower right corner of one of the frescoes and marked it with an inscription showing his name. Visitors can spot this hidden detail by looking carefully at the walls.
The floor was laid with special ceramics from a nearby town decades after the walls were painted. These colorful tiles create a bright contrast to the painted ceiling above.
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